By Gabriel Kim Leal
(November 23, 2024) – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Saturday rejected accusations that its financial aid programs are being exploited for political purposes.
This came after Vice Pres. Sara Duterte-Carpio claimed that some politicians have been using DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) and Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) for vote-buying.
“Let me reiterate that all the DSWD’s field offices across the country serve people in need, whether they are walk-in clients or were referred to by local government unit (LGU) officials. The DSWD continues to process applications and distribute assistance through AICS and AKAP to qualified beneficiaries,” said DSWD secretary Rex Gatchalian.
AKAP is similar to AICS but is limited to minimum wage earners, providing one-time cash aid of P3,000 to P5,000 to families not receiving other government assistance.
Gatchalian added that beneficiaries of both programs undergo strict verification and noted that the funds for AICS and AKAP are solely allocated through the General Appropriations Act (GAA).
“There is no GAA line item that entitles any congressional district or LGU to have an allocation in any amount and lodged this with the DSWD that could benefit their constituents,” said Gatchalian.
AKAP is one of the pet projects of Romualdez, whom Duterte-Carpio has criticized several times. On Friday, she included Romualdez in the list of targets she wanted to be assassinated if she gets killed. She also mentioned Pres. Bongbong Marcos Jr. and first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.
Meanwhile, Romualdez, a cousin of Marcos, blasted Duterte-Carpio for refusing to attend the hearings of the House of Representatives regarding her controversial confidential funds.
The DSWD reported that AKAP benefited over four million Filipinos from January to October, with funds in Central Luzon, Bicol, and Western Visayas already over 70% utilized.
(PM)
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